A NEW Deal

Hey gang! Sorry for the extended silence, but like many I've been traveling about this summer and doing various other "non-scheduled" this-and-thats. Consequently, getting sit-down time in front of my computer has pretty well gone out the window. I'll also be absent most of next week, but will try to get something up here at some point.

In the meantime, I have a very special announcement and a favor to ask. First, the announcement:

Beginning Thursday, July 26, 9 PM EST, I will be hosting an all new regular Twitter chat focusing on New Adult literature. Here's a quick FAQ to get you up to speed:

What is New Adult literature?

New adult is a blossoming category of literature written about and for the 20-somethings. The stories focus on issues and characters relevant to people emerging from their teens into the world of adult pleasures and problems. (Like college, car payments and the prospects of finding a life partner.) 

NA is viewed as the natural extension, or evolution, of young adult literature and a launching point for readers looking for a more mature brand of story, but perhaps not quite ready for a strict diet of self-help books and classic lit.

In short, if you like your vampires less sparkly, still think of midlife crisis as something for old people and are more worried about making your 8 AM biology lab than the escalating cost of prescription meds, NA stories are for you!

What is a Twitter chat? 

Basically, it's a prearranged discussion that happens live on Twitter at a specific time/date. Think of it like instant messaging, but with Twitter. 

How do I participate in a Twitter chat?

First, get a Twitter account. It's free. Second, you'll want to be signed in when the chat is taking place. Then, you'll keep track of--and get involved with--the discussion by using a special # tag, like #NALitChat in your tweets. 

Example of a conversation Tweet: What's the best NA story you've read so far? #NALitChat

Anyone following the #NALitChat conversation will see your Tweet, as well as your followers.

How do I know what others are saying? Is there an easy way to keep up with the conversation?

Yes! There are lots of 3rd party "apps" you can download to your computer, phone, etc. that specialize in keeping up with Twitter # conversations. Here are links to a few good ones:

TWEETCHAT

HOOTSUITE

TWEETDECK

Why is EJ involved?

I've always felt there should be more people writing for college-aged readers. I didn't have a lot of reading choices in college in terms of stories written FOR me. I could read Harry Potter or Stephen King, Tolstoy or CS Lewis. 

Unfortunately, stories for the in-betweens just weren't marketable. There was a belief that 20-somethings didn't read enough to warrant their own genres/category. Then came Harry Potter, Twilight and a slew of other Young Adult stories that achieved great "crossover" success in adult markets. The concept of targeting those "new adults" gained some traction and has been growing as a result.

Aside from enjoying stories that feature characters in their 20s (like the Sookie Stackhouse series), I've also begun writing them. Plus, I have a real love for Young Adult lit, and as I mentioned above, NA is very much an extension of those wonderful stories. 

Anyway, with the help of some other authors and New Adult enthusiasts, I kind of birthed the idea of having a regular Twitter chat to promote the category and basically provide a forum for discussion. After all, there are chats for YA, literature and all kinds of other genres, so why not NA?

The Favor

So that's the skinny. We're going to be talking nothing but NA, every Thursday night starting at the end of this month. I'm hosting, and I've got some wonderfully talented folks with a passion for NA helping me moderate, answer questions, etc. If you're even remotely curious about NA, or just want to find some new books to read, be sure to join us. 

You can get the full calendar, read chat transcripts and find some great NA resources at the NA Lit Chat blog (click for link) and follow @NALitChat on Twitter.

Speaking of following, blogs, etc. that's where I'd love your help. I know most of you are writers and readers, and you're connected with tons of other writers and readers. 

Would you consider helping me get the word out about the #NALitChat?

You can do it by following, Tweeting, blogging--however--in the weeks leading up to our first chat. I'll be posting more about it here (but not duplicating much, so no worries if you follow me on the NA Lit Chat blog too--this is, and will always be, my personal writing blog) and Tweeting from the @NALitChat account as well as my @EJWesley account. 

I appreciate any and all help in advance, and truly hope you'll stop by the new blog and tune in for the weekly chats. Would love to hear from you, and promise to keep it fun and informative.

~EJW~